Multifunctional shoe

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multifunctional shoe which includes a shoe, a locating part, a sliding device and a locking device. The shoe has a sole provided with at least an accommodation. The locating part is fixed by a fixing member inside the accommodation and is a hollow body with the opening thereof is directed downward, thereby forming a mounting opening at the bottom of the sole. The sliding device contains a wheel and a wheel base. The wheel base corresponds to the locating part in form so that it can be received in the locating part. The locking device is located at the side of the locating part. A lock pin is disposed inside the locking device and is controllable from the outside of the sole to be axially moved. The sliding device is fixed inside the locking device while the small part of the wheel projects from the sole for sliding purpose; moreover, the sliding device can be stored or disassembled without projection on the sole for walking purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a multifunctional shoe, and moreparticularly to a shoe with both sliding and walking functions.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A conventional in-line skate, as shown in FIG. 1, has a set ofwheel (b) at the bottom of the shoe body (a). A great height (H1) fromthe bottom of the shoe body (a) amounts to at least 6 cm. When thebeginner wear it, it's easy for him to fall down on his back with legspointing up because of the higher center of the gravity and theunbalance, thereby even causing the injury of the buttocks through shockto the ground and the learning fear to give up further practice.

[0005] In accordance with researches, the skating motion is dependentupon the sense of balance. After grasping the sense of balance, thebeginner can easily learn the skating. It is like that to ridemotorcycle is very easy when one is able to ride bicycle. Therefore,it's the main topic of the present invention how to learn skatingwithout falling to the ground and how to train the sense of balance.

[0006] Meanwhile, the conventional in-line skates can be used forskating purpose only, and can't be used for walking. Thus, the rollerskater has to carry the skate to a skating place and then wear it,thereby causing much trouble.

[0007] In order to increase the functions of the shoe, a “sole of rollershoes” disclosed by TW Pat. No. 367879, as shown in FIG. 1(A), and a“shoe for walking and skating” disclosed by TW Pat. No. 400753 are knownas prior arts. In these two disclosures, a conventional shoe is providedwith rollers (c) on the sole in a projecting or hidden position, therebycreating the skating function of a shoe. However, the bottom of theholding groove (d) has to be open in order to store or pull out therollers 7, thereby accumulating impurities and therefore causingmalfunction of the rollers (e.g. the rollers are easily blocked by theimpurities). Moreover, the pivot (e) of the rollers (c) is fitted withstrong spring (not shown) inside so that the stored rollers won't falldown. However, it takes much effort to bring out the rollers in placefor skating, and it's almost impossible for children to do it. Inaddition, the height after using the rollers (c) is almost the same tothe height (H1) of the common roller skate. Thus, this height is alsonot suitable for the beginner for practice and training the sense ofbalance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide amultifunctional shoe which can be used as a common shoe at ordinarytimes and changed to be sliding shoe at any time to help the beginner totrain the sense of balance and protect him from injuries during skating.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide amultifunctional shoe which is safe in use while the fun during exercisesession is enhanced.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide amultifunctional shoe which is easy, convenient and effortless inoperation and in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accomplishment of this and other objects of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description and its accompanyingdrawings of which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional in-line skate;

[0013]FIG. 1(A) is a schematic drawing of a prior art disclosed in TW367879;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view of the main structure of thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a sectional assembly view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention illustrating the shoe in a sliding state;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a sectional assembly view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention illustrating the shoe in a walking state;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a sectional assembly view of the first embodiment of thepresent invention for walking only while the wheels thereof are storedin an accommodation;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a second embodiment of thepresent invention illustrating the wheels in a slidable state;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the second embodiment of thepresent invention for walking only while the wheels thereof aredisassembled;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a side view of the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a partial section of the third embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a section taken from the line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a section taken from the line 13-13 in FIG. 11;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a first schematic drawing of the third embodiment ofthe present invention, showing the action in hiding the wheel thereof;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a second schematic drawing of the third embodiment ofthe present invention, showing the action in hiding the wheel thereof;

[0028]FIG. 16 is a section taken from the line 16-16 in FIG. 14;

[0029]FIG. 17 is a third schematic drawing of the third embodiment ofthe present invention, showing the action in hiding the wheel thereof;and

[0030]FIG. 18 is a partial section of the third embodiment of thepresent invention after the wheel is hidden in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] First of all, referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the multifunctionalshoe of a first embodiment in accordance with the present inventionincludes a shoe 1, a locating part 2, a sliding device 3 and a lockingdevice 4.

[0032] The shoe 1 has a sole 11 provided with at least an accommodation12.

[0033] The locating part 2 is fixed by a fixing member 21 inside theaccommodation 12 and is a hollow body with the opening thereof isdirected downward, thereby forming a mounting opening at the bottom ofthe sole 11. Moreover, the locating part 2 has a locating surface 22 ata preset height on the inner wall of the locating part 2. And a throughhole 23 is disposed at the side near the bottom of the locating part 2.

[0034] The sliding device 3 contains a wheel 31 and a wheel base 32. Thewheel base 32 corresponds to the locating part 2 in form so that it canbe received in the locating part 2 in contact against the locatingsurface 22. A locating hole 321 corresponding to the through hole 23 ofthe locating part 2 is disposed at the side of the sliding device 3.

[0035] The locking device 4 is located at the side of the locating part2. A lock pin 41 is disposed inside the locking device 4 and iscontrollable from the outside of the sole 11 to be axially moved into orretracted from the through hole 23 of the locating part 2 and thelocating hole 321 of the wheel base 32.

[0036] Based on the above-mentioned structure, the locating part 2 isreceived in the accommodation 12 of the sole 11 and fixed by the fixingmember 21 which is constructed as a fixing plate and secured by screws211 to the locating part 2. Alternatively, the locating part 2 and thefixing member 21 can be formed in a body.

[0037] A compression spring 24 is arranged on the inner top surface ofthe locating part 2. In addition, a rubber pad 33 is fitted to the topsurface of the wheel base 32.

[0038] Furthermore, the locking device 4 contains a lock pin 41 axiallymovable in the casing 42. A spring 43 is inserted on the middle part ofthe lock pin 41 while the lock pin 41 projects from the casing 42 tocreate a holding head 44 near a through hole 14 at the side of the sole11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the wheel base 32 is directed upward andinserted into the locating surface 22 in place so that the wheel base 32is enclosed by the locating part 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4, so thatthe sliding device 3 doesn't shake. Moreover, the lock pin 41 of thelocking device 4 is inserted through the through hole 23 of the locatingpart 2 into the corresponding locating hole 321 at the side of thesliding device 3. Accordingly, the sliding device 3 won't fall out ofthe locating part 2.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 31 of the sliding device 3 slightlyprojects from the sole 11. The small height (H2) to the ground is usedfor the user to practice the sense of balance while sliding. When thebeginner loses his balance, the balance can be restored by using thefront end of the shoe 1 to touch the ground (see FIG. 5) so that thedanger of falling to the ground can be avoided. Accordingly, the presentinvention can serve as a sliding shoe in addition to practice of senseof balance. It's full of fun and equated with the conventional rollerskate or the in-line skate. Moreover, when the shoe 1 is not used forsliding, it can serve as a shoe with low heel for walking on the ground.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the wheel 31 of the sliding device 3 ispushed upward into the locating part 2 while the lock pin 41 of thelocking device 4 is inserted into the locating hole 321 of the wheelbase 32. Thus, the sliding device 3 is reversely stored inside thelocating part 2. Meanwhile, the rubber pad 33 is directed downward to bein line with the sole 11 so that the shoe 1 is the same to the commonshoes for walking purpose. It's very practical. When it's desired tomake sliding movement, the holding head 44 is pulled outward so that thelock pin 41 is separate from the locating hole 321. Meanwhile, thesliding device 3 is smoothly pushed outwards by means of the resilienceof the compression spring 24 inside the locating part 2. Thereafter, thesliding device 3 is turned over to be in the sliding state and restoresitself, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041]FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention.In this second embodiment, the thickness of the sole 11 is reduced sothat the accommodation 12 and the locating part 2 inside theaccommodation 12 are correspondingly lowered. The sliding device 3 isfitted in the forward direction inside the locating part 2 and fixed bythe locking device 4. The locking device 4 can be installed not only atthe rear side of the sole 11 but also at the right and left sidesthereof. Moreover, the locking device 4 is fixed by the correspondinglocating holes 321 at both sides of the wheel base 32. The descriptionsof the detailed structure are given hereinafter.

[0042]FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of the disassembled slidingdevice 3 illustrated in FIG. 7. This second embodiment has only limitedaccommodation space so that the sliding device 3 can't be reverselystored in the locating part 2. Thus, a rubber cover 13 is required toseal the mounting opening so that the shoe 1 of the second embodiment ofthe present invention is identical with the common shoes. Thisembodiment has the lightweight feature and is suitable for the leisureshoes.

[0043] In the first and second embodiments, the sliding device 3 and thelocating part 2 are independent without any connection. Accordingly, thesliding device 3 can be removed from the locating part 2. In the nextembodiment of the present invention, the sliding device 3 and thelocating part 2 are connected.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 9 through 13, most of the structure the thirdembodiment is identical with most of the structure of the first andsecond embodiments so that the detailed descriptions won't be givenhereinafter again, but the additional components are described asfollows. The locating part 2 has a longitudinal through hole 25 at bothsides thereof to receive two mounting rods 26 which are inserted fromthe top to the bottom of the longitudinal through hole 25. Moreover,both mounting rods 26 are up and down movable in the longitudinalthrough hole 25. The mounting rods 26 are provided with a slot 261 atthe lower part and a hook 262 at the upper part thereof. The wheel base32 of the sliding device 3 includes a tapped hole 322 in the middle ofeither side thereof. A screw 34 passes through the slot 261 of themounting rods 26 in order to locate the sliding device 3 between bothmounting rods 26. Meanwhile, the slot 261 serves as turning point inorder to turn the sliding device 3 upside down.

[0045] Besides, the locating holes 321 of the sliding device 3 of thethird embodiment are disposed at the right and left sides of the wheelbase 32. If the arrangement is identical with that of the firstembodiment, the locating holes 321 can be fitted to the front and rearsides of the wheel base 32. However, the locking device 4 has to befitted in accordance with the position of the locating hole 321 to therear, left and right sides. Moreover, the through hole 23 of thelocating part 2 also has to be arranged in accordance with the positionof the lock pin 41 of the locking device 4. In order to adjust to thespace of the sole 11 and to achieve the convenience in operation, thecasing 42 of the locking device 4 can be optionally shaped. The lockingdevice 4′, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is disposed at the right and leftsides of the locating part 2. Only one locking device 4′ is enough, andtwo are certainly more stable for the whole effect. The locking device4′, as illustrated in FIG. 13, contains a knob 45 used to push against aturning piece 46 to control a lock pin 41 to axially move while the knob45, the turning piece 46 and the lock pin 41 are fixed by a casing 42. Aspring 43 is interposed between the casing 42 and the lock pin 41, andthe knob 45 is located in a through hole 14 at the side of the sole 11.

[0046] Returning to the FIG. 10, a side view of the third embodiment ofthe present invention, showing that the knob 45 is located in thethrough hole 14 at the side of the sole 11 while the sliding device 3 isfixed in a slidable state. FIG. 111 is a partial section of the FIG. 10.In FIG. 11 it is seen that the sliding device 3 is fixed by the lock pin41 inside the locating part 2 while the mounting rods 26 are connectedby screws 34 with the wheel base 32. FIGS. 12 and 13 are respectivesections taken along the lines 12-12 and 13-13, and the detailedstructure is illustrated. The wheel 31 is directed downward and projectsfrom the sole 11 in a slidable state. The lock pin 41 is insertedthrough the through hole 23 of the locating part 2 into the locatinghole 321 of the wheel base 32 in position. In changing the location ofthe wheel 31, the knob 45 is pressed down while the lock pin 41 isreturned by the turning piece 46 to the released state.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sliding device 3 falls along theslot 261 of the mounting rods 26 when released. Meanwhile, the mountingrods 26 will also simultaneously fall down and fastened by means of ahook 262 at the bottom of the longitudinal through hole 25 in such a waythat the sliding device 3 has room to turn upside down (see FIGS. 16 and17). The wheel 31 of the sliding device 3 turned upside down, as shownin FIG. 18, will be pushed into the locating part 2. Thereafter, thelock pin 41 is inserted into the locating hole 321 to return to thelocked state. Accordingly, the sliding device 3 is hidden inside thesole 11 to have the walking function.

[0048] Through the technique of the above-mentioned embodiment of thepresent invention, the sliding device 3 can be rapidly assembled withthe sole 11 in a sliding state or in a storage (disassembled) state.Thus, the operation is easy and convenient while the structure of thepresent invention is stable. Also, it's safe when sliding. In addition,the sliding function will support the beginner to train his sense ofbalance for enhancing the exercise fun. Consequently, it's a convenient,practical and multifunctional shoe.

[0049] Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodimentsof the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing fromthe scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science andthe useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to belimited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunctional shoe comprising: a shoe havinga sole provided with at least an accommodation in a prearranged positionthereof; a locating part fixed by a fixing member inside saidaccommodation and constructed as a hollow body with an opening directeddownward, thereby forming a mounting opening at the bottom of said sole,a locating surface being disposed at a preset height on the inner wallof said locating part, a through hole being arranged at the side nearthe bottom of said locating part; a sliding device having a wheel and awheel base, said wheel base corresponding to said locating part in formso that it can be received in said locating part in contact against saidlocating surface, a locating hole corresponding to said through hole ofsaid locating part being disposed at the side of said sliding device;and a locking device located at the side of said locating part, a lockpin being disposed inside said locking device and controllable from theoutside of said sole to be axially moved into or retracted from saidthrough hole of said locating part and said locating hole of said wheelbase; so that said sliding device is fixed inside said locking devicewhile the small part of said wheel projects from said sole for slidingpurpose; moreover, the sliding device can be stored or disassembledwithout projection on said sole for walking purpose.
 2. Themultifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rubber cover isfitted to the mounting opening at the bottom of said sole.
 3. Amultifunctional shoe comprising: a shoe having a sole provided with atleast an accommodation in a prearranged position thereof; a locatingpart fixed by a fixing member inside said accommodation and constructedas a hollow body with an opening directed downward, thereby forming amounting opening at the bottom of said sole, a locating surface beingdisposed at a preset height on the inner wall of said locating part, athrough hole being arranged at the side near the bottom of said locatingpart, a longitudinal through hole being disposed, respectively, at bothsides thereof in which two mounting rods are freely moved up and down; asliding device having a wheel and a wheel base, said wheel basecorresponding to said locating part in form so that it can be receivedin said locating part in contact against said locating surface, alocating hole corresponding to said through hole of said locating partbeing disposed at the side of said sliding device, said wheel base beingfixed by screws in slots of said mounting rods at two sides of saidlocating part; and a locking device located at the side of said locatingpart, a lock pin being disposed inside said locking device andcontrollable from the outside of said sole to be axially moved into orretracted from said through hole of said locating part and said locatinghole of said wheel base; so that said sliding device is fixed insidesaid locking device while the small part of said wheel projects fromsaid sole for sliding purpose; alternatively, said wheel can be turnedupside down to be pushed inward in a storage position for walkingpurpose while no projection on said sole is present.
 4. Themultifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein a spring isfitted to the inner top wall of said locating part.
 5. Themultifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein a rubber pad isfitted to the top surface of said wheel base of said sliding device. 6.The multifunctional shoe as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein saidlocking device contains a lock pin axially movable in a casing and aspring being inserted on the middle part of said lock pin while saidlock pin projects from said casing to create a holding head near athrough hole at the side of said sole.
 7. The multifunctional shoe asclaimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said locking device contains a knobused to push against a turning piece to control a lock pin to axiallymove while said knob, said turning piece and said lock pin are fixed bya casing, and wherein a spring is interposed between said casing andsaid lock pin, and said knob is located in a through hole at the side ofsaid sole.